The project attracted the attention of Gardner when, last week, he did not see any African-Americans working at the site, the Chicago Sun-Times reports. Black construction jobs have become rarer and rarer in the economic downturn and unemployment in the community remains staggeringly high.

Many appear to share Gardner's concern and protests began last week. About 1,000 protesters rallied outside the site Sunday, including prominent activists and elected officials including Reps. Danny Davis and Bobby Rush, both Chicago Democrats, and former Senator Roland Burris.

A representative of Meijer told WBEZ that they have met with both Gardner and the construction company. A letter sent on behalf of the company and the site contractor pledged that minority-owned businesses and contractors would be supported at the site.

But Meijer is not the only target of the protests. Omar Shareef of the African American Contractors Association previously told Patch that Meijer has been open to working with his group. Others in the development -- including Menards and Power Construction, the contractor -- have been less so.